VP Kalla Says Indonesia Will Not Interfere in Dispute Between US, N. Korea

Vice President Jusuf Kalla confirmed on Tuesday (18/04) that Indonesia will not interfere in rising tensions between the United States and North Korea over the latter's recent nuclear and missile tests. (Antara Photo/Wahyu Putro A.)

Jakarta. Vice President Jusuf Kalla confirmed on Tuesday (18/04) that Indonesia will not interfere in rising tensions between the United States and North Korea over the latter's recent nuclear and missile tests.

Kalla added that US Vice President Mike Pence's planned visit to Indonesia will not affect the country's neutrality on the matter.

"Let them [United States and North Korea] resolve it. Our position might change in the future, but that's further down the road," Kalla said.

The vice president highlighted that the United States and North Korea have long been in conflict with each other over the future of the Korean Peninsula. South and North Korea are technically still at war with each other, since no peace treaty has been signed following the 1950-53 conflict.

"Things are very complicated [...] both states have faced this dilemma for over 60 years. So, it is not a new issue, they are still at war," Kalla said. "Both sides have agreed to a cease fire, though there has been no real resolution yet."

However, Kalla did not elaborate further on the government's plan to address rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The United States has repeatedly condemned North Korea's plans to develop nuclear technology and has imposed crippling sanctions on Kim Jong-un's government in response.

On April 9, the US Navy deployed a battle fleet led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to the Korean Peninsula to pressure the North to forego weapons tests.

North Korea launched an unsuccessful ballistic missile test on Sunday in a move some US defense officials described as a provocation.